Wrench



J 4 1927' J. E. KENERSON WRENCH Filed May 11, 1926 Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

UNITEQ dTA'l'ES Pram orrice;

JOSEPH 'E. KENERSON, OE SAUGU'S, MASSACHUSETTE, ASSIGNOR .IO 'I RIMONT MANU- FAGTURING COMPANY, 01E ROXB'UIRY, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAS- SAGHU$ETTS WRENCH.

Application filed May 11, 1926.

My present invention is an improved form of adjust-able wrench having removable means for protecting the adjusting nut.

In the well-known type of Trimo wrenches, an important feature is the provision of projecting parts, members, pleces, or the like, constituting protecting devices for the adjusting nut, to prevent dlsplacement of the adjusting nut when the wrench is laid on its side.

In my present improved Wrench 1 have devised a simple, novel, and efficient form of wrench, wherein the projecting nutguard portions are formed separable, and removable from, the wrench. Preferably, also, I utilize but one of these adjustable nut guards, although it is within the province of the present invention to utilize a pair of same if desired.

In carrying out my present invention I provide an adjustable or pipe wrench construction wherein the handle and head are drop-forged, cast, or constructed in any other desired manner, and with a U-frame secured to the head to receive the shank of the movable jaw member. My novel nut guard is readily removable and renewable, com prising a member or plate bearing against one side of the ti-frame, and recessed to permit passage of the movable jaw shank therethrough, and having formed thereon, and preferably integral therewith, a pair of arc uateshoulders which extend inside the adj usting nut, thus keeping the nut central when in operation.

This movable nut guard can be reversed, if desired, viz., applied to the side of the adjusting nut opposite the U-frame. It is easy to assemble in the wrench, and has an even bearing on both the nut and the frame. Thus, an extremely simple, removable nutguard construction is provided, and one which will protect the wrench when laid on either side, and maintain the nut at its adjusted position without disturbing the same.

Preferably, also, I provide a projecting portion of the handle which may be recessed or slotted to receive the lower portion of the shank, and preferably also, an expansible spring to allow a yielding oscillating grip on the jaw members, and thus enable the wrench to better take hold of a round pipe or surface.

Serial No. 108,272.

Further features of the invention, novel cast if desired) has an enlarged head 2 with a projecting portion 3 extending at the back or rear of the wrench, and recessed or slotted to receivethe shank a of the movable jaw member 5. A U-frame or member 6 is secured to the head 2 at 7, the shank also passing through this ll-member. On the head 2 is formed or secured a gripping aw 9 to cooperate with the gripping jaw 10 of the adjustable head 5. The removable nut guard is illustrated at 11, being formed with an oblong recess12 to permit passage of the shank 4: therethrough, and also has a pair of arcuate shouldersl3 which enter the adjusting nut 14 and tend to keep the nut centered at all times. This removable nut guard 11 is of 'reater extent than the diameter of the adjusting nut 14:. The nut 14; is internally threaded to correspond with the threads 15 in the shank 4; of the movable jaw, the rotation of the nut 1d and its bearing against the guard 11 and U-frame 6 affording the means for tightening of the head and adjustment of the aws 9 and 10 for any desired gripping action. If desired, the nut guard 11 may be assembled on the opposite side of the adjusting nut 14:, viz, on the side opposite the Ll-frame 6. The nut guard, being on one side only of the adjusting nut, will not interfere with the thumb movement of the nut.

I preferably, also, core or form a slotted recess, as indicated at 16 in the projections 17, and fit therein a coiled spring 18 hearing against the spring cap 19 of sufficient area to span a plurality of the threads 15 in the shank 4:, said spring being tensioned to always exert an expansible action on this lower portion of the shank 4 through the spring cap 19. The opening in the U-frame 6 and projections 3 in the head 2, through which the shank 4- passes, is of sufficient proportions to permit a slight oscillation of the shank 4, the spring 18 tending to keep the movable jaw 5 inclined forwardly, or toward the opening of the jaws, while a slight pressure of the hand of the operator on the lower part of the shank 41- below the spring 18 tends to open same, thus facilitating quick action and operation of the wrench, particularly when gripping pipes or round surfaces, and insuring a biting grip. The spring cap 19 has a pair of lugs 20 which slide in the recess 16 and bear, at their outward limit of movement, against the edges 21 of this slot 16, preventing loss or falling out of the spring and spring cap when the shank 4 passes ahead of the projection 17.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an extremely inexpensive and simple construction of wrench, securing the advantages of the well-known Trimo wrenches, with a removable and renewable nut guard, thus adding to the economy of the wrench, and retaining the oscillating jaw. The advantages and economies andsimplicity of this wrench will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have necessarily described my invention somewhat in detail, it will be appre ciated that I may vary the size, shape, and arrangement of parts within reasonably wide limits without departing from the spirit of the invention.

My invention is further described and de fined in the form of claims as follows:

1. A wrench of the kind described, having a handle and a head with a U-frame secured thereto, a fixed jaw on said handle, a movable jaw having its shank extending through the U-frame and smaller than the opening in said frame to permit oscillation, an adjusting nut threaded on said shank below the Uframe, a removable washer-like nut guard cooperating with said nut and extending beyond the diameter of thesaid nut, and concavo-convexo lips on said nut guard to enter and center said adjusting nut, and a coiled spring tending to oscillate said shank in a predetermined position in said frame, an arcuate spring cap of sulfioient area, to span a plurality of threads on said shank and against which cap said coiled spring bears, and means to limit the outward movement of said spring cap.

2. A wrench of the kind described, ha ing a handle and a head with a U-frame secured thereto, a fixed jaw on said handle, a movable jaw having its shank extending through the U-frame and smaller than the opening in said frame to permit oscillation, an adjusting nut threaded on said shank below the U-frame, a removable washerlik-e nut guard cooperating with said nut and extending beyond the diameter of the said nut, and concavo-convex lips on said nut guard to enter and center said adjusting nut, and a coiled spring tending to oscillate said shank in a predetermined position in said Uframe, an arcuate spring cap of sufficient area to span a plurality of threads on said shank and against which cap said coiled spring bears, and guiding lugs on said spring cap, projecting through recesses in the handle.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOSEPH E. KENERSON. 

